WO2003012232A2

WO2003012232A2 - Rolling pivot for track suspended articulated panels

Info

Publication number: WO2003012232A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/024222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim Charles Yorgason
Original assignee: Kim Charles Yorgason
Priority date: 2001-07-31
Filing date: 2002-07-30
Publication date: 2003-02-13
Also published as: US20020020507A1; WO2003012232A3; US6745813B2; AU2002322804A1

Abstract

An improved rolling pivot for suspended support of articulated panels such as shutters or room dividers in an overhead channel. The device features angled engagement of overlapped wheels of the rolling pivot in the overhead channel to thereby allow the supported articulated panels to be closed and opened by directing force to side edges of the suspended panels instead of having to pull the lead panel in the array. The device also allows for minimizing the width of the overhead channel and easy insertion and removal of individual pivot assemblies with the overhead channel by a simple rotation of the carriage of the pivot assembly to remove the wheels from operational engagement with tracks formed in the carriage and allow the wheels and pivot assembly to slide through a gap in the channel between the tracks.

Description

INVENTOR

KIM CHARLES YORGASON 151 Grulla Court Norco, California, 92860

The inventor is a citizen of the United States ,

TITLE OF THE INVENTION ROLLING PIVOT FOR TRACK SUSPENDED ARTICULATED PANELS

Submitted by:

Donn K. Harms

Reg. No. 38,911

Patent & Trademark Law Center

12702 Via Cortina, Suite 100

Del Mar, California 92014

ROLLING PIVOT FOR TRACK SUSPENDED ARTICULATED PANELS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application the disclosed device relates to hanging articulated panels used for

window shutters and room dividers and the like. More particularly it relates to a device to

support the weight of one or a plurality of rotationally attached hanging panels such as

shutters or room dividers in an overhead track and allow the hanging panels to translate or

to fold into an accordion style configuration with panels adjacent to each other when the

hanging panels are in a retracted position. Additionally the device provides the ability for

insertion into the overhead track from any point along track as well as from the open ends.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional window shutters and large rectangular panels used to divide rooms

and the like are generally comprised of rectangular hinged panels which hang in rotational

engagement from overhead supports mounted in a track. In the case of window shutters the

panels are sized to cooperatively engage with the window frames around a window

opening. In the case of room divider panels used to separate a large room into smaller

rooms for conventions and restaurants and similar venues, the hanging panels are also

rectangular and sized to fit between the ceiling and floor of the venue to be subdivided.

Articulated panels whether used for window shutters, room dividers, French doors,

or for other conventional purposes, generally feature an array of interconnected rectangular

panels which are in a hinged engagement with an adjacent similarly dimensioned panel,

along at least one vertical side edge when a pair of panels is suspendedly mounted in an

overhead track. When there are more than two such hanging panels, all of the panels are

suspended over the floor or other surface below the lower edge of the panels by a rotational engagement with a track engaged translating overhead support with all but the two end

panels hinged on both vertical sides to adjacent similarly dimensioned hanging panels and

with the two end panels hinged at one vertical side edge to an adjacent hanging panel.

Such hanging panels are conventionally supported by a rolling support assembly in

rotational engagement with the top edge of each panel adjacent to both top corner edges of

each panel. Typically the rolling support assembly has two wheels attached to axles

engaging a carriage. The two wheels are cooperatively engaged inside the overhead track

and roll therein as the supported hanging panels are moved from a compacted position to a

fully extended position in line with each adjacent panel.

However such an array of interconnected articulated panels can be difficult to open

and close when used in applications where the panels are vertically supported inside the

overhead track or channel, especially where more than to panels are interconnected along

their side edges as is the case with conventional articulated panels such as shutters and

room dividers and the like. This difficultly is caused because conventionally available

carriages and mechanisms used to support mid-array panel sections inside the overhead

channel typically consist of carriages fitted with vertical wheels set parallel to the channel

sidewalls. When a panel array formed of a plurality of suspended panels is fully retracted

with the panels folded upon each other in a stacked engagement, the wheels of the typical

carriage assembly engaged in the overhead channel are parallel to the channel center axis.

While parallel engagement with the channel axis facilitates easy rolling when the panels are

in an inline or extended position with each other, being parallel to the channel center axis

with the array of panels in the retracted position, places the carriage wheels substantially

perpendicular to the center axis of the top of the suspended panels and to the side edges of

the hinged articulated panels. This makes it almost impossible to close the panel by pushing against the side edges of the panels because the pressure so exerted will not cause the

wheels to turn since they are perpendicular to the pressure being exerted. Rather, the user

must pull on the leading edge of the leading panel toward the closure point on the channel

until the angle between a given pair of panels and the channel is sufficiently small to allow

the pushing action on the side edges to be effective. As a consequence, conventional

vertically supported panel arrays are either difficult and time consuming to operate, limited

in th number of panels that can be joined in a panel assembly during use, or both.

Additionally, conventional carriage and wheel assemblies generally cooperatively

engage by sliding the wheels into the channel from an open end or through cut out in one

end of the channel. This makes maintenance a nuisance since changing a defective carriage

requires its removal through an end point and insertion of a new one though the open end

or gap at the end point.

As such, there is a continuing need for a rolling pivot for articulated panels in

hinged engagement along their side edges which will allow for easy retraction and

extension of a vertically suspended array of panels. Such a device should allow for the

array of panels to be easily retracted to their stored or retracted position by minimal

pressure on either the side edges of the hingedly engaged panels in the array or by pushing

on the end panel. Further such a device should allow for the easy cooperative engagement

of the carriage with the overhead channel from any point along the channels or through the

openings at the end of the channel to facilitate maintenance of the array supports or

changing of the panels so suspended by the channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above problems, and others are overcome by the herein disclosed rolling pivot

for articulated panels. As herein described the device alleviates the wheel angle to panel

position problems inherent to conventional panels suspension components in retracted or

extended panel arrays. The device provides this utility by setting the carriage wheels of the

rolling pivot assembly engaged with the overhead channel, at an angle partway between the

vertical and horizontal in relation to the vertical side edges of the hanging articulated panel.

As a consequence, regardless of where force is applied to the suspended array of panels,

whether it be on the side edges, the panel side surfaces, or by pulling on the side edge of

the lead panel, the wheels will tend to move along in the desired direction until the panels

reach their fully extended position substantially with their top edges substantially parallel

to the center axis of the overhead channel.

This angled engagement of the carriage wheels in relation to the side edges and

surface surfaces of the retracted panels in the array is provided in the construction of the

rolling pivot assembly. Each pivot assembly is rotationally attached to an upper edge of a

suspended panel adjacent to an upper corner of the suspended panel wherein each such

suspended panel will be suspended by two such pivot assemblies. Each pivot assembly has

a pivot bracket with a pair of wheel axles extending therefrom at angles to allow wheels

engaged at the distal end of the axles to cooperatively engage in the channel in a tandem

configuration at offsetting angles. The angle of the axles is generally between the being

parallel the flat overhead surface mounting the channel being perpendicular to the side

surfaces of the suspended panels of the array wherein force applied to the side surfaces, the

side edges, or by pulling on the lead edge of the array will tend to move the panels along

the channel in the desire direction. The angled engagement of the axles with the pivot bracket and resulting offsetting

angled engagement of the wheels with the channel provides an additional benefit. First, the

width of the channel and the pivot assembly are greatly reduced from conventional

arrangements thereby reducing the size for mounting and aesthetics and costs for

manufacturing. Further, the wheels used have a determined diameter such that when

mounted to the axles and turned sideways in the overhead channel, the pivot assemblies

may be easily inserted into the channel through the gap at any point along the channels by

simply rotating the pivot assembly until the wheels are out of engagement with the sides of

the channels and pulling the pivot assembly out of the channel. This provides great utility

for maintenance and replacement of the pivot assemblies as well as removal of panels and

panel arrays without the need to disassemble them to slide them to an edge of the mounted

channel. Still further, by overlapping the wheels in relation to the centerline of the

carriage, the track width is minimized.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention claimed herein to provide an improved

rolling pivot for suspended articulated panel arrays which allows opening and closure of

the array by applying force to any side or edge of the retracted array of panels.

It is another object of this invention to provide a rolling pivot which is insertable

and retractable from its mounting channel at any point along the channel.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a rolling pivot for articulated

panels which minimizes the width of the channel and pivot assemblies by providing angled

engagement therebetween.

These and further objectives of this invention will be brought out in the following

part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing

the invention without placing limitations thereon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this

specification illustrate embodiments of the disclosed device and together with the

description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 depicts an exploded view of the pivot assembly engagement with the

overhead channel and the suspended panels of an articulated panel array.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the wheels of the pivot assembly and channel.

Figure 3 depicts a sectional view through figure 2 showing the engagement of the

wheels of the pivot assembly at offsetting angles within the channel with the aligning loop

bracket engaging shoulder portions of the support member.

Figure 4 is a side view of the pair of pivot assemblies of figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top view of the wheels and pivot assembly rotated to a position where

the pivot assembly may be removed from the channel through the gap in the channel.

Figure 6 depicts a section view through figure 5 showing the rotated wheels

insertable into the channel gap.

Figure 7 depicts the pair of pivot assemblies of figure 5 showing the loop bracket

for directional alignment in the disengaged position from the shoulder portions.

Figure 8 is a top view showing the two panels in alignment with the channel and the

two adjacent pivot assemblies also in alignment.

Figure 9 depicts another top view of two suspended panels in a folded configuration

and showing the adjacent pair of pivot assemblies in directional alignment.

Figure 10 is an end view of the device as depicted in figure 1 showing a door mounted to the pivot assembly engaged with the carriage channel. Figure 11 depicts the ability of the pivot assembly to remain engaged with the carriage channel even when displaced at large angles.

Figure 12 is an alternative preferred embodiment of the device wherein the loop bracket is replaced by a guide pin to provide means for directional alignment.

Figure 13 depicts the alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosed device with the guide pin functioning as a lever to assist during insertion of the pivot assembly into the carriage channel.

Figure 14 is a side view depicting insertion of the pivot assembly into the carriage channel.

Figure 15 depicts the engaged carriage channel and pivot assembly of figure 14.

Figure 16 shows the guide pin providing alignment of adjacent pivot assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED DEVICE

Referring now to figures 1-16 depicting the preferred embodiments of the disclosed

device 10, Figure 1 depicts an exploded view of the pivot assembly 12 which has a carriage

14 with a pair of axles 16 in angled engagement with the carriage 14 which is also attached

to a support member 18 having a member center axis 28 therethrough. Wheels 20 are

operatively mounted upon the axles 16.

The pivot assembly 12 cooperatively engages the carriage channel 22 shown with

the channel center axis 21, which is generally mounted to an overhead surface by

attachment of the backwall 29 to the ceiling or similar overhead support 19 which is

sufficient in weight bearing ability to suspend one or a plurality of door panels 24 making up the array of articulating door panels 24, such as shutters or room separators and the like,

suspended from the overhead support 19.

The pivot assembly 12 is mountable with the carriage channel 22 engaging the

wheels 20 engaged in tracks 23 formed at the distal ends of the two sidewalls 31 the

carriage channel 22. The carriage 14 portion of the pivot assembly 12 is engaged at a first

end of the support member 18 which extends downward through a gap 27 formed in the

carriage channel 22 between the sidewalls 31 and the two tracks 23, to a distal end 17

which is configured for operative rotational engagement the door panels 24 adjacent to the

upper corners of the door panels 24. As depicted threads 26 engage similarly configured

receiving threads in the door panels 24 to provide the operative rotational engagement

therewith, however those skilled in the art could of course substitute other means for

cooperative rotational engagement between the support member 18 and the door panels 24

and such is anticipated. The array of door panels 24 is conventionally interconnected by

hinges 25 attaching adjacent side edges of adjacent door panels 24 with the two end door

panels 24 having only one side edge connected to an adjacent door panel.

The wheels 20 as can be seen, rotate on the axles 16 which are at an angle in-

between being perpendicular and parallel to the support member center axis 28 which also

places the angle of the wheels 20 when engaged in the carriage channel 22 at an angle

between the vertically disposed side edges of the hanging articulated style door panels 24.

Also, the angled placement of the axles 16 causes the wheels 20 to both slightly cross the

member center axis 28 when rotationally mounted on the axles 16 so the axles 16 are

mounted in offset positions on the carriage 14 to allow for this slight overlap of the wheels

20 with the member center axis 28. Placing the wheels 20 at such an angle provides a

number of benefits to the device 10 in that the angled engagement of the axles 16 with the carriage 14 and resulting offsetting angled engagement of the wheels 20 in the tracks 23 of

the carriage channel 22 greatly reduce the needed with of both the carriage channel 22 and

the pivot assembly 12 thereby making the device 10 especially useful in areas where size is

a concern such as window shutter support.

As shown in figures 1 -6 generally, the door panels 24 being suspended by the pivot

assemblies 12 will be in a hinged engagement with pivot assemblies 12 operatively

engaged adjacent to both top corners of the door panels 24. A means for directional

alignment of two adjacent pivot assemblies 12 attached to two adjacent door panels 24

having rotational engagement provided by the hinge 25 holding the two door panels 24 in

rotational engagement, is provided by the loop bracket 30 which is removably engageable

with a flanged shoulder portion 32 located on the support member 18. The loop bracket 30

is dimensioned for frictional engagement with the flanged shoulder portion 32 such that it

may be snapped over the flanged shoulder portion 32 which is positioned on the exterior of

the support member 18 such that the flanged shoulder portion 32 is just above the top

surface of the door panel 24 when the support member 18 is operatively engaged with the

door panel 24. With the loop bracket 30 in this engaged position, the suspended door

panels 24 forming an array of panels may be opened or closed easily by pushing on the

sides of the two door panels 24 along the edge of their hinged engagement when both

panels 24 are in a bent alignment with each other as depicted in figure 9. Of course other

means for directional alignment of two adjacent pivot assemblies 12 might be used by

those skilled in the art and such is anticipated, however the current best mode features the

engagement of the loop bracket 30 on flanged shoulder portions 32 of adjacent pivot

assemblies 12. Additionally, in the current best embodiment, the wheels 20 have an

angled diameter slightly less than the size of the gap 27 in the overhead mounted carriage channel 22. As depicted in figures 5-7 this is an especially important function as pivot

assembly 12 may be easily inserted into, and removed from, the carriage channel 22

through the gap 27 at any point along the carriage channel 22 by simply rotating the pivot

assembly 12 until the wheels 20 are out of engagement with the tracks 23 of the carriage

channel 22. The pivot assembly 12 can then be easily removed from the carriage channel

22 through the gap 27. replacement of a pivot assembly 12 is done in the reverse fashion.

Of course as shown best in figures 3 and 10, when the pivot assembly 12 is engaged

with the carriage channel 22 an especially secure mount is achieved due to the angled

wheels 20 intersecting the tracks 23 formed in both sidewalls 31. Even at the extreme

angles depicted in Figure 11, with the loop bracket 30 communicating with the sidewall 31

the pivot assembly 12 remains engaged with the carriage channel 22. An

alternative preferred embodiment of the device 10 is depicted in figures 12 - 16 wherein the

means for directional alignment of two adjacent alternative pivot assemblies 34 is provided

by a grooved guide pin 38 which replaces the aforementioned loop bracket 30. The guide

pin 38 is in cooperative engagement with a guide pin channel 40 running through each

alterative pivot assembly 34. Once so engaged, an e-clip 42 is attached to the leading edge

of the guide pin 38 and provides a means to retain the guide pin in cooperative engagement

with both adjacent alternative pivot assemblies. Of course other means to retain the guide

pin in such cooperative engagement might be used by those skilled in the art and such is

anticipated, however due to the ease of attachment and removal of the e-clip 42 from the

leading edge of the guide pin 38, the-clip 42 is the current favored component for this task.

As shown best in Figure 13 the use of the grooved guide pin 38 as a means for

directional alignment of two adjacent alternative pivot assemblies 34 provides additional

utility in that the grooved guide pin 38 can also be used as a lever to twist the pivot assemblies 34 for insertion into the carriage channel 22. In use, the grooved guide pin 38

would hang below the bottom of the carriage channel 22 and could thus be inserted after

the door 24 is hung from the carriage channel 22 by the pivot assemblies 34. The grooved

guide pin 38 could then be used either as a lever for the insertion or removal of the pivot

assemblies 34 into or out of the carriage channel 22 which is best shown in figures 13 -14.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the present invention

have been described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of

modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure

and it will be apparent that in some instance, some features of the invention will be

employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope

of the invention as set forth. It should be understood that such substitutions, modifications,

and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or

scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations are included

within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels comprising:

an elongated channel having a channel center axis, a rear wall, and a pair of

sidewalls extending from said rear wall, said sidewalls having a gap therebetween;

a first track formed in one of said pair of sidewalls and a second track formed in the

other of said pair of sidewalls;

a pivot assembly having a carriage portion, said carriage portion having a carriage

center axis running therethrough;

a support member extending from said carriage portion said support member having

a support center axis therethrough;

a first axle and a second axle both extending at opposite angles from an offset

attachment to said carriage;

a first wheel and a second wheel both rotationally attached to said first axle and said

second axle respectively;

said offset of said axles being sufficient to allow the circumference of said first

wheel and the circumference said second wheel to both overlap said support center axis;

said pivot assembly engageable with said channel with said first wheel rollingly

engageable with said first track and said second wheel rollingly engageable with said

second track thereby slidingly engaging said pivot assembly with said channel; and

means for cooperative rotational engagement between the support member and the

top of a door panel to be suspended by said pivot assembly when said pivot assembly is

slidably engaged with said channel.

2. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 1 further

comprising:

said pivot assembly having an engaged position with said first and second wheel

cooperatively engaged engaging said first and said second track respectively;

said pivot assembly having a disengaged position with said first and said second

wheel out of engagement with said first and said second track respectively;

said pivot assembly rotatable to said disengaged position by rotating said carriage to

a position wherein said carriage center axis is substantially normal to said channel center

axis; and

said circumference of said first wheel and said circumference of said second wheel

both being dimensioned to allow said first wheel and said second wheel to traverse through

said gap when said pivot assembly is in said disengaged position.

3. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 1 further

wherein said means for cooperative rotational engagement between the support member

and the top of a door panel comprises:

threads on the exterior of the distal end of said support member cooperatively

engageable with threads attached to the top of said door panel.

4. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 2 further

and the top of a door panel comprises:

threads on the exterior of the distal end of said support member cooperatively

engageable with threads attached to the top of said door panel.

5. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 1 further

comprising:

a plurality of said pivot assemblies attachable in pairs to a plurality of door panels

in hinged engagement to each other along at least one door side edge;

each of said door panels having one of said pair of pivot assemblies attachable at a

top edge adjacent to one top comer and a second pivot assembly of said pair of pivot

assemblies attachable at a top edge adjacent to the opposite comer of said door panel; and

means for maintaining alignment of said carriage center axis of two adjacent pivot

assemblies when each is attached at and adjacent comer of two adjacent door panels of said

plurality of door panels, whereby each of said plurality of door panels is supported by a

pair of said pivot assemblies and the pivot assemblies attached adjacent to each other to

different door panels are maintained with their respective carriage axis in alignment when

moving in said channel.

6. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 2 further

comprising:

in hinged engagement to each other along at least one door side edge;

plurality of door panels, whereby each of said plurality of door panels is supported by a pair of said pivot assemblies and the pivot assemblies attached adjacent to each other to

moving in said channel.

7. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 3 further

comprising:

in hinged engagement to each other along at least one door side edge;

moving in said channel.

8. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 4 further

comprising:

in hinged engagement to each other along at least one door side edge; each of said door panels having one of said pair of pivot assemblies attachable at a

moving in said channel.

9. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 5 further

comprising:

said means for maintaining alignment of said carriage center axis of two adjacent

pivot assemblies comprises:

a loop bracket, said loop bracket having an interior aperture; and

said interior aperture sized to frictionally engage a shoulder portion located on the

exterior of each support member.

10. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 6 further

comprising:

pivot assemblies comprises:

a loop bracket, said loop bracket having an interior aperture; and said interior aperture sized to frictionally engage a shoulder portion located on the

exterior of each support member.

11. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 7 further

comprising:

pivot assemblies comprises:

a loop bracket, said loop bracket having an interior aperture; and

exterior of each support member.

12. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 8 further

comprising:

pivot assemblies comprises:

a loop bracket, said loop bracket having an interior aperture; and

exterior of each support member.

13. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 3 wherein

said plurality of door panels are window shutters engaged by hinges along side edges of

said shutters.

14. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 4 wherein

said shutters.

15. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 5 wherein

said shutters.

16. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 6 wherein

said shutters.

17. A pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels comprising:

an elongated channel having a channel center axis, a rear wall, and a pair of

other of said pair of sidewalls;

center axis running therethrough;

a support center axis therethrough;

a first axle and a second axle both extending at opposite angles from an offset

attachment to said carriage; a first wheel and a second wheel both rotationally attached to said first axle and said

second axle respectively;

means for cooperative rotational engagement between the support member and the

slidably engaged with said channel.

18. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 17 further

comprising:

said pivot assembly having an engaged position with said first and second wheel

cooperatively engaged engaging said first and said second track respectively;

wheel out of engagement with said first and said second track respectively;

axis; and

said gap when said pivot assembly is in said disengaged position.

19. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 17 further

and the top of a door panel comprises:

threads on the exterior of the distal end of said support member cooperatively

engageable with threads attached to the top of said door panel.

20. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 17 further

comprising:

a plurality of said pivot assemblies attached in pairs to a plurality of door panels in

hinged engagement to each other along at least one door side edge;

each of said door panels having one of said pair of pivot assemblies attached at a

assemblies attached at a top edge adjacent to the opposite comer of said door panel; and

moving in said channel.

21. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 5 further

comprising:

pivot assemblies comprises:

a guide pin;

a channel formed in each pivot assembly in line with said carriage center axis, said

channel dimensioned for cooperative slideable engagement with said guide pin when

inserted therethrough in a mounted position; and

means to retain said guide pin in said mounted position.

22. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 6 further

comprising:

pivot assemblies comprises:

a guide pin;

inserted therethrough in a mounted position; and

means to retain said guide pin in said mounted position.

23. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 7 further

comprising:

pivot assemblies comprises: a guide pin;

inserted therethrough in a mounted position; and

means to retain said guide pin in said mounted position.

24. The pivot mechanism for supporting articulated panels as defined in claim 8 further

comprising:

pivot assemblies comprises:

a guide pin;

inserted therethrough in a mounted position; and

means to retain said guide pin in said mounted position.